A Broadstairs councillor is calling for two pedestrian crossings to be installed in his ward.
Cllr Aram Rawf, who represents Beacon Road ward, says the crossings would help with a ‘very dangerous area’ where Westover Road meets Northdown Road (St Peter’s).
The independent councillor has contacted Kent County Councillor Lesley Game and a transport officer to pass the request to Environment & Transport Committee members.
He said: “One of the main concerns in the community which I represent is road safety. The focus of this concern is the very dangerous area where Westover Road meets Northdown Road. At this corner the residential area meets the industrial area and the vehicle and foot traffic of a nursery, a special school, a council service building and the bus stop which is the connection to the rest of Broadstairs. This meets the lorry, van and vehicle traffic of our industries.
“There have in the past been accidents here, including a fatality, and my conversations with constituents identify this corner as a source of inconvenience and fear.
“I propose that a crossing is installed across Westover Road and another across Northdown Road, that the bus stop is moved to meet the crossing and that warning notices of an upcoming crossing are established 200 metres in advance of the corner in all directions.
“The loss of parking to be replaced at the current bus stop for those household that are affected by this change. This would ensure the safety of those crossing to catch the buses, to take children to the nursery, to school, to the activity centre, to use the council’s own services, to enter the industrial zone or simply to access other parts of Broadstairs on foot.
“Thanet District Council planning committee also voted for development in Northdown Road Broadstairs to be approved by officers later this year once an agreement setting out legal terms is signed.
“ I ask for KCC Environment & Transport Cabinet Committee and council’s support in this necessary change.”
Cllr Game has passed the request to KCC Highways.
Crash data shows 26 traffic incidents listed as serious, with one fatal collision further out on the A255, and 81 ‘slight’ incidents in the last ten years in and around the Westover/Northdown Rad area.
A Kent County Council spokesperson said: “Making our roads safer is a top priority and we assess all requests for safety improvements based on evidence. For any new controlled pedestrian crossing this includes level of demand for the crossing point, the impact on road design such as closeness to junctions and whether there is clear visibility for drivers. We will contact local elected officials to discuss next steps, which could include surveying both locations.”
The call follows on the heels of a petition raised by resident and campaigner Jenny Matterface last year asking for double yellow lines at the junction.
The petition to Thanet council read: “Due to the vehicles parked at the location it is dangerous for pedestrians to cross especially the elderly, those with poor eyesight, anyone with limited mobility, parents and carers with children and buggies.
“The additional housing proposed for the former gasworks site means even more vehicles will try to use this already busy junction.”
The petition was put on hold while a campaign to save Stagecoach services in Thanet was mounted.
